3/15/2013 |
Tigers likely to stay course with closerThe Tigers have given no indication they are bringing back Jose Valverde, who has been working out for scouts in his native Dominican Republic. Bruce Rondon remains a top candidate for closer.

3/15/2013 |
Rays shave heads for Pediatric Cancer Foundation"Fortune Favors the Bald" T-shirts were the order of the day on Friday at the Charlotte Sports Park. Rays players, coaches, staff, the manager, and countless others from the organization convened on the deck above right field to have their heads shaved to pay tribute to children fighting cancer.

3/15/2013 |
Ciriaco scratched, but Papi progressingInfielder Pedro Ciriaco was scratched from the Red Sox lineup Friday night before a game against the Twins due to back spasms, adding to a list of ailing Sox players.

3/15/2013 |
Late arrival Constanza may not make rosterJose Constanza arrived in camp on Friday, exactly one month after the club staged its first full-squad workout. Because there are just two more weeks of Spring Training, there is reason to doubt the speedy outfielder's ability to gain an Opening Day roster spot.

3/15/2013 |
Walden running out of time to prove readinessFredi Gonzalez has not ruled out the possibility of having Jordan Walden in his bullpen at the beginning of the season. But now that his back is feeling better, Walden will have less than two weeks to prove he is ready.

3/15/2013 |
Headley accepts invitation if USA advancesWith David Wright likely out of the Classic with a back issue, San Diego's Chase Headley has accepted an invitation to join Team USA if the club advances to the next round.

3/15/2013 |
Mariners send 11 players to Minor League campThe Mariners continued whittling down their roster on Friday. The team sent 11 player to Minor League camp, including infielders Alex Liddi and Stefen Romero and catchers Ronny Paulino and John Hicks.

3/15/2013 |
Confidence game: Brown set for breakout yearBased upon my observations scouting Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown in Spring Training, he is gaining confidence. That could be great news for the Phils and their fans.

3/15/2013 |
Wright diagnosed with intercostal strainRather than examine David Wright's injury at their Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, the team flew their franchise third baseman directly from Miami to New York, where he was diagnosed with an intercostal strain by team doctors Friday.

3/15/2013 |
Perennial slow starters aim to hit fast track this yearTo accommodate players participating in the World Baseball Classic, camps started earlier -- and will run longer -- than usual. For players with reputations for slow starts, it's an opportunity to squeeze in extra at-bats during Spring Training -- or, even better, the competitive environment of the Classic.

3/14/2013 |
Dutch add Profar and Jansen to bolster rosterThe team from the Netherlands that's been taking names in the World Baseball Classic added a few more big ones Thursday. Top prospect Jurickson Profar was officially added to the roster and will play second base, and Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen will join the team after his game for Los Angeles against Kansas City on Friday.

3/14/2013 |
Meulens could see himself managing in MajorsTeam Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens, who also happens to be the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants, said he'd love to be a Major League manager someday.

3/14/2013 |
Jones' homer leads Dutch to big win over PadresThere's still plenty of life left in Andruw Jones' bat, as was the case Thursday when he hit a solo home run and knocked in another run as the Netherlands topped the Padres, 9-3, in front of a crowd of 3,142 at the Peoria Sports Complex.

3/14/2013 |
Veteran 1B Lee declines Yankees' offerThe Yankees will have to look elsewhere to fill the hole left at first base by the injured Mark Teixeira. As reported by Yahoo's Tim Brown, Derrek Lee declined the Bombers' offer to suit up for the 2013 season.

3/14/2013 |
Set for semis, DR awaits US-Puerto Rico winnerThe Dominican Republic clinched a spot in the semifinals by beating Team USA on Thursday. Before heading to San Francisco, however, the team managed by Tony Pena will play one more time in Miami. At 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, it will take on the winner of Friday night's Team USA-Puerto Rico matchup.

3/14/2013 |
Japan successful no matter the circumstancesEven when the game doesn't count, the baseball team from Japan looks very impressive. Although the Giants presented some of their own mitigating circumstances, the other half of the game was yet another demonstration of just how advanced Japanese baseball is.

3/14/2013 |
Crain expects to be ready for Opening DayDespite not pitching since February 25 against the Giants -- his only Cactus League appearance -- due to a right adductor strain, reliever Jesse Crain is not worried about being ready to break camp with the White Sox in two weeks.

3/14/2013 |
Despite outing, Guthrie says he's 'barely' in gearRoyals starter Jeremy Guthrie claims he feels like he's barely getting into gear. Manager Ned Yost sees him as close to ready for the season. Whatever the case really may be, Guthrie made his third appearance in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Indians and gave up two runs on five hits in four innings. He threw 69 pitches.

3/14/2013 |
Hultzen, Walker, Paxton sent down; Maurer remainsThe Mariners sent five pitchers down to the Minor Leagues on Thursday, including top prospects Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton. But interestingly, up-and-coming right-hander Brandon Maurer remains in the Major League camp after throwing four more shutout innings in an 8-7 victory over the Reds.

3/14/2013 |
Kelly looking for second opinion on elbowPitcher Casey Kelly, two days removed from a discouraging diagnosis on his right elbow, told reporters he will get a second opinion before making a decision on whether to have reconstructive surgery or not. "I think I've prepared myself for the worst," Kelly said Thursday. "This is uncharted waters for me."

3/14/2013 |
Crawford rehabs with Minor League at-batsWhile the Dodgers fell, 8-1, to the Cubs on Thursday afternoon, left fielder Carl Crawford made progress as he works his way back from a nerve irritation he sustained as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.